Ingredient dictionary

Maris Sal

Also listed as: Sea Salt

Maris Sal is the INCI name for sea salt, the mineral salt left behind when seawater evaporates. In cosmetics it mainly works as a gentle abrasive and a thickener. It is on the label of 16 products in our library. Checked against our library November 6, 2026.

The catch: none for most people; check the full product list if your skin reacts easily.

What Maris Sal does

Gentle physical exfoliant in scrubs
Thickens the cleansing base of shampoos
Dissolves in bath water for soaks

Sea salt is made by letting seawater evaporate, often in shallow pans, so that salt crystals form and can be collected. Those crystals are mostly sodium chloride, with small amounts of minerals such as magnesium and potassium. Formulators use the crystals as a gentle abrasive, which is why they show up in scrubs and body polishes.

In shampoos and body washes, salt helps thicken the cleansing base, so the product pours and feels more substantial. In bath products it dissolves quickly in warm water, giving a soak a classic bath-salt feel. Because it rinses away easily, it is a common choice for rinse-off products.

Good for

People who enjoy scrubs and bath soaks with a bit of texture and a fresh feel.

Be careful if

Nothing in particular for most skin types.

Frequently asked questions

Is sea salt the same as table salt?

Both are mostly sodium chloride. Sea salt is usually less refined and keeps small amounts of other minerals, such as magnesium and potassium. The difference is mainly in trace minerals and how the salt is processed.

Does sea salt exfoliate skin?

Yes, in scrubs the crystals act as a gentle physical scrub that helps lift dead skin cells from the surface. Use light pressure, rinse well, and skip scrubs on broken or irritated skin.